How old do you have to be to work at Best Buy? Well, Best Buy is a great place to start your career, but age is an important consideration. We know that they have opportunities for teens, but options might be limited depending on how old you are.
You have to be at least 16 years old to work at Best Buy. 17-year-olds can do nearly everything except jobs classified as hazardous. 16-year-olds have limited options, but there are a handful of entry-level jobs they can do. You don’t need any experience for most entry-level jobs. But you must show a good understanding of Best Buy products and passion for serving people.
What is Best Buy?
Best Buy is an American multinational consumer electronics retailer headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota. It is the largest specialty retailer in the United States consumer electronics retail industry.
James Wheeler and Richard M. Schulze originally found the company in 1966 as an audio specialty store. They rebranded it in 1983 with an emphasis on consumer electronics.
By 2021, it had 102,000 employees working in its 1159 stores worldwide.
Best Buy is a successful and highly reputed company that won many accolades in the early to mid-2000. Such accolades include the company of the year 2014 (Forbes Magazine), and the most admired company in 2006 by Fortunes.
Stiff competition from online retail giants such as Amazon dealt it a major blow at the turn of the century. But the management came up with a turnaround strategy that has seen it stay afloat to date.
The Benefits of Working at Best Buy
Best Buy invests in training and capacity development and the physical, mental, financial, and social well-being of its employees. This is deliberate to ensure that the company provides superior customer service.
Wages paid at Best Buy are above the industry average. The company provides paid time off, paid leave, staff discounts, commuter benefits, and funds for disaster relief or personal hardship.
Permanent employees have access to 401(k), Retirement Savings Plan, a Savings Builder Program, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In addition, the company provides life insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, long-term disability insurance, and health and dependent care.
To promote training and career development, Best Buy offers tuition help and discounts, as well as tutor reimbursement.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Best Buy?
Best Buy doesn’t employ persons below 16 years. But even 16-year-olds have specific jobs they can be hired for. Some locations might not hire teens if there are stricter state laws on the employment of minors.
In most cases, 17-year-olds could do most of the jobs they qualify for, provided they are non-hazardous jobs.
Common Jobs for Teens at Best Buy
We discuss some of the common jobs for teens at Best Buy below.
Sales Associates/Cashiers
This job entails providing product information, answering questions, and taking payments. Sales associates must have a good understanding of the products and be able to multitask. No previous experience is required for this job.
Customer service Specialist
This entry-level job involves collecting recycled electronics, completing returns and exchanges, and answering client questions. People skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are desirable.
Asset Protection Specialist
This officer monitors the security and safety of merchandise and equipment. It is their responsibility to ensure that there is no loss or damage to merchandise and any other asset of the company.
The Hiring Process at Best Buy
Depending on the position you are applying for, the hiring process might be different. Applications are submitted online, although you can also drop your application in person.
Competition for places in Best Buy is high, even for entry-level positions. If you are lucky to get the opportunity for an interview, you want to give it your best. We look at some of the most common interview questions and how you can answer them.
Interview Question 1: Why should we hire you?
Mention skills and experience that correlate to the job in question. Be sure to study the job description well and identify the primary job requirements. This will help you tailor your responses accordingly.
Interview Question 2: What hours can you work?
This question seeks to establish your flexibility. The more flexible you are, the better for the employer. Mention that you can work on weekends or holidays if possible.
How Much Does Best Buy Pay Their Employees?
Best Buy pays an average of $13 per hour for most of its associate positions. Pay may differ depending on the level of experience and skills. Customer service specialists earn between $10 and $16 per hour. Whereas asset protection associates get between $10 and $17 per hour.
Retail sales associates are paid between $12 and $19 per hour. But supervisory positions earn between $40,000 and $50000 per year. And managerial positions earn between $55000 and $80000 per year.
Conclusion
Best Buy provides career development programs to help you grow in your career. Employee benefits cover financial, physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
You also get an opportunity to own a portion of the company through the employee stock purchase plan. Entry-level jobs you can consider include sales associate/cashier, customer service specialist, and asset protection specialist.